Sasaki named president of Toyota Industrial Equipment

Toyota on July 29 announced the appointment of Kazue Sasaki to president of Toyota Industrial Equipment Manufacturing Inc. (TIEM), the U.S. manufacturing plant for Toyota lift trucks, effective immediately.  In addition, he is now president of Toyota Industries North America Inc., a holding company, and a director of the Toyota Material Handling USA Inc. (TMHU) board of directors.   

As president of TIEM, Sasaki is responsible for all aspects of the Columbus, Ind., plant, which manufactures the majority of Toyota lift trucks sold in the United States.

Outgoing president Susumu (Sonny) Toyoda will remain active in Toyota Industries Corporation (TICO). Toyoda, who served a five-year tenure at TIEM, was influential in leading the plant to achieve numerous environmental and manufacturing accolades including a zero-landfill status and the production of the 300,000th lift truck.  

Sasaki brings more than 20 years of management and engineering experience to the plant, most recently serving as a senior managing officer of Toyota Industries Corporation (TICO). Prior to this role, Sasaki was a managing officer, director and led TICO’s Engine Division, and was responsible for collaborations with Toyota Motor Corp. to produce environmentally friendly diesel engine concepts, along with new business development activities.

“Sasaki’s passion for quality and excellence showcases his leadership abilities,” said Shankar Basu, chairman and CEO of TMHU and a director of TIEM.  “It is an honor to welcome him as a member of the team.”

Sasaki has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Kyoto University.

About Toyota Material Handling USA Inc.

Celebrating more than 40 years of established operations in the United States, Irvine, Calif.-based TMHU has been the No. 1 selling lift truck supplier in the U.S. since 2002 and currently offers a full line of high-quality lift trucks sold under the Toyota brand. TMHU, as the sole United States distributor for Aichi, offers a lineup of aerial work lifts, including scissor lifts, crawler and wheeled boom lifts designed specifically to meet a wide range of indoor and outdoor needs. Most of the Toyota lift trucks sold in the United States are manufactured at TIEM in Columbus, Ind.